dSPACE Develops Simulation Solutions with CIM Database Cloud

Contact Software, provider of test and simulation solutions for the mobility industry and other sectors introduces CONTACT Software’s CIM Database Cloud as its product lifecycle management (PLM) platform. It enables dSPACE to accelerate product development, support quality assurance, reduce costs for technical infrastructure, and ensure high IT security.

Wherever complex systems need to be developed and validated, solutions from dSPACE come into play. The company’s portfolio enables automotive manufacturers and their suppliers to develop and test software and hardware components for new vehicles long before they hit the road. Beyond vehicle development, dSPACE is also a partner in the aerospace industry and industrial automation. Now, dSPACE relies on CIM Database Cloud from CONTACT Software for product development.

Previously, dSPACE used a self-developed solution that no longer adequately supported the company’s strong international growth. Data was distributed across multiple IT systems, which lacked the scalability to map complex business processes. By implementing CIM Database Cloud, dSPACE reduces routine tasks and sources of error while increasing productivity and quality in product development and manufacturing processes.

The existing development environment consisting of the electronic CAD system Altium Designer, the mechanical CAD system Autodesk Inventor, and an enterprise resource planning system has already been integrated into CIM Database Cloud. A connection to manufacturing service providers is currently being implemented, which will simplify data exchange and make it traceable. Further integrations are planned.

dSPACE has chosen the Platform as a Service (PaaS) operating model.

“The PaaS model with its extensive DevOps services supports dSPACE’s digital transformation strategy, as it allows us to optimally map our business processes,” says Christian Böhner, project manager for the PLM implementation at dSPACE.

Other cloud-based solutions (such as ERP) can be seamlessly integrated in a data-driven and cloud-native manner, without dependencies on local infrastructure. This creates an end-to-end digital thread between the various development departments and production. Additionally, the cloud solution provides security standards and reduces infrastructure costs.

dSPACE is a provider of simulation and validation solutions used in the development of connected, self-driving, and electrically powered vehicles. The company’s offerings range from solutions for simulation and validation to engineering and consulting services, as well as training and support. dSPACE is headquartered in Paderborn and has three project centers in Germany, along with subsidiaries in the USA, the UK, France, Japan, China, Croatia, South Korea, India, and Sweden. More than 2,600 employees work for the company worldwide. CONTACT is the vendor of open standard software and open source pioneer for the product engineering process and the digital transformation.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.